If, say, you send your 12 year old to Girl Guide camp for a week.
And, say, you forget to send her a letter while she's there.
BUT, on the Friday before she returns, YOU receive a letter from HER at camp.
Is that a bad thing?
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
What's that noise?
Last night I was drowsing while Hubby was watching a movie on the laptop. I kept hearing a noise, and eventually realized that he wasn't making it.
Me: Um, Honey, do you hear that?
Him: Yup
Me: Um, what is it?
Him: I don't think it's anything.
Me: But it sounds like it's under the bed... is there a raccoon under the bed?
Him: A raccoon under the bed?
Me: yeah....
Him: No, there is no raccoon under the bed.
Me: Aren't you gonna to check what it is then?
Him: Why, do I look like a big strong man?
Me: Um, yes. Right now, definitely.
Him: (skeptically looks at me. Then looks under the bed) ARRRGGHHHH!!!
Me: (squeal like a little girl)
Him: Here's a teddy, you goof. (Hands me one of the baby's teddy bears)
And then he went and closed the window, so that the breeze would stop rattling the papers under the bed.
The end.
Me: Um, Honey, do you hear that?
Him: Yup
Me: Um, what is it?
Him: I don't think it's anything.
Me: But it sounds like it's under the bed... is there a raccoon under the bed?
Him: A raccoon under the bed?
Me: yeah....
Him: No, there is no raccoon under the bed.
Me: Aren't you gonna to check what it is then?
Him: Why, do I look like a big strong man?
Me: Um, yes. Right now, definitely.
Him: (skeptically looks at me. Then looks under the bed) ARRRGGHHHH!!!
Me: (squeal like a little girl)
Him: Here's a teddy, you goof. (Hands me one of the baby's teddy bears)
And then he went and closed the window, so that the breeze would stop rattling the papers under the bed.
The end.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Frantic planning gets much done.
This past weekend was a long one. The Civic holiday is the only long weekend when retail remains open around here. We made good use of it, but apart from taking measurements, we never got on the boat all weekend. That’s probably just as well since the Civic weekend has an ages-old tradition of being when every crazy there is comes out of the woodwork and climbs aboard a boat.
We went shopping instead. Our packing list is now 91% purchased with only a handful of things left to get (mostly available within a short drive of my office), and should be completed within the next 3 days.
We got Rubbermaid bins and have started sorting things into them. Some are more full than others. We haven’t begun to think about food.
The Anchor rode has been measured out in 7 foot intervals and marked for safe use. As long as the water is no more than 14 feet deep, we are set. I need another 10 or 20 markers to finish the job. I also did an AMAZING eye splice – around a thimble – which displays my marlinspike seamanship most proudly. I should get a photo of it on here. I am almost tempted to try and back-splice the fraying ends of my dock lines.
An inflatable dinghy has been offered for our use, and we have arranged parking/bus transfers. I built a screen hatchboard (washboard) insert for the companionway, and I think it fits - testing pending.
Despite my deep concerns about preparedness, it seems like things are coming together. Now I have to keep up the momentum, and make sure stay on track.
One thing we still need: a firm commitment for a person to help bring Iris back through the Trent Canal on the homeward journey. Is anyone available for a 2-day trip from Severn inlet to Barrie (Sept 3-4th)? If you can hold a line and take instruction, you meet the qualifications.
We went shopping instead. Our packing list is now 91% purchased with only a handful of things left to get (mostly available within a short drive of my office), and should be completed within the next 3 days.
We got Rubbermaid bins and have started sorting things into them. Some are more full than others. We haven’t begun to think about food.
The Anchor rode has been measured out in 7 foot intervals and marked for safe use. As long as the water is no more than 14 feet deep, we are set. I need another 10 or 20 markers to finish the job. I also did an AMAZING eye splice – around a thimble – which displays my marlinspike seamanship most proudly. I should get a photo of it on here. I am almost tempted to try and back-splice the fraying ends of my dock lines.
An inflatable dinghy has been offered for our use, and we have arranged parking/bus transfers. I built a screen hatchboard (washboard) insert for the companionway, and I think it fits - testing pending.
Despite my deep concerns about preparedness, it seems like things are coming together. Now I have to keep up the momentum, and make sure stay on track.
One thing we still need: a firm commitment for a person to help bring Iris back through the Trent Canal on the homeward journey. Is anyone available for a 2-day trip from Severn inlet to Barrie (Sept 3-4th)? If you can hold a line and take instruction, you meet the qualifications.
Monday, 3 August 2009
Washing my Face
I noticed that in the bath the other day my Buddy picked up his washcloth and rubbed his face. I kind of wondered if it was intentional or not.
--
--
Then yesterday, I gave him his washcloth when he was done eating, and told him "ok, wash your face now!"
--
--
And he did.
Sunday, 2 August 2009
More Lillies
Hubby was asking the other day where this Lily was. I didn't have a clue what he was talking about, and pointed him towards the other ones in the garden. He said 'no, not those ones... the one we moved from the old house." "we did move some of those ones dear. I guess we didn't move the one that you're thinking of."
Then this guy came into bloom. I guess I forgot about him.
Happy long weekend everyone!!No work tomorrow! yay!
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Dinghy Testing.
Last night we took the hardshell dinghy we've been loaned for a test-tow. Wow. What a debacle.
After reversing nicely out of our slip, the dinghy was released so we could pull it behind the boat. The engine was put in forward, the dinghy spun sideways, and pulled the stern of Iris toward the dock. We nearly hit all the boats on our dock, and bounced the dinghy off one as it dragged along sideways behind us.
The fellow who loaned us the dinghy had warned me that one of the oarlocks wasn't working, but that he had jury rigged it so it would be fine. It wasn't working for me. The oar that did have a working oarlock didn't have a retaining pin, and kept slippin gout of the oarlock. I would get one fixed, and the other would fail.
We rowed around in circles for 5 minutes, then SWMBO made a "suggestion" that we go back to the boat before we drifted off and got in trouble.
We reboarded, and buddy threw himself on the cockpit floor and threw a tantrum. Then with him screaming, SWMBO pulled in the anchor and we motored back to our slip. A member of the club came over with suggestions of how to do things differently next time, but no one was in the right frame of mind to hear it.
I need to go back out and rethink this. Its not rocket science.
BTW - Buddy kept on cryin gthrough the night, with a few breaks for naps. I think he must be teething again, but when I dropped him off at the sitters this morning, she said her kid was upset and cranky as well. I wonder if they ate something that disagrees or are coming down with something. Anyway, a screaming kid can really get in the way of communication and boat handling.
After reversing nicely out of our slip, the dinghy was released so we could pull it behind the boat. The engine was put in forward, the dinghy spun sideways, and pulled the stern of Iris toward the dock. We nearly hit all the boats on our dock, and bounced the dinghy off one as it dragged along sideways behind us.
The fellow who loaned us the dinghy had warned me that one of the oarlocks wasn't working, but that he had jury rigged it so it would be fine. It wasn't working for me. The oar that did have a working oarlock didn't have a retaining pin, and kept slippin gout of the oarlock. I would get one fixed, and the other would fail.
We rowed around in circles for 5 minutes, then SWMBO made a "suggestion" that we go back to the boat before we drifted off and got in trouble.
We reboarded, and buddy threw himself on the cockpit floor and threw a tantrum. Then with him screaming, SWMBO pulled in the anchor and we motored back to our slip. A member of the club came over with suggestions of how to do things differently next time, but no one was in the right frame of mind to hear it.
I need to go back out and rethink this. Its not rocket science.
BTW - Buddy kept on cryin gthrough the night, with a few breaks for naps. I think he must be teething again, but when I dropped him off at the sitters this morning, she said her kid was upset and cranky as well. I wonder if they ate something that disagrees or are coming down with something. Anyway, a screaming kid can really get in the way of communication and boat handling.
Off to camp
I'm obviously behind, seeing as today I PICK HER UP from camp at 10:30, and she's been there six days.
*ahem*
But, here she is arriving at camp, getting ready to pitch her tent (in the rain)
It was beautiful weather when we left the church at 1:00, however, by the time we got to camp, only 45 mins away, the rain clouds looked ominous.
We got there a little early, but that was probably for the best, as most kids were coming by bus. We beat the bus in, so there wasn't swarms of kids everywhere while we were trying to get to her camp site.
She didn't take the bus because it was actually further to drive her to the bus stop than it was to camp. That's why I love this Girl Guide camp. It's fairly close to home. Chuckie & I camped there with our unit in June (see 'camp stories' parts one, two, & three).
As she Advanced to Pathfinders in the Spring, she is with the Pathfinder Unit this time around.
Excellent.
Apparently part of the Pathfinder program is lighting a fire in the rain. The leaders were prepared with squirt bottles in case there was no rain.
They also have to pitch a tent after dark. I noticed a pile of blindfolds ready.
I think I like the way these leaders think.
*ahem*
But, here she is arriving at camp, getting ready to pitch her tent (in the rain)
It was beautiful weather when we left the church at 1:00, however, by the time we got to camp, only 45 mins away, the rain clouds looked ominous.
We got there a little early, but that was probably for the best, as most kids were coming by bus. We beat the bus in, so there wasn't swarms of kids everywhere while we were trying to get to her camp site.
She didn't take the bus because it was actually further to drive her to the bus stop than it was to camp. That's why I love this Girl Guide camp. It's fairly close to home. Chuckie & I camped there with our unit in June (see 'camp stories' parts one, two, & three).
As she Advanced to Pathfinders in the Spring, she is with the Pathfinder Unit this time around.
Excellent.
Apparently part of the Pathfinder program is lighting a fire in the rain. The leaders were prepared with squirt bottles in case there was no rain.
They also have to pitch a tent after dark. I noticed a pile of blindfolds ready.
I think I like the way these leaders think.
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